It is 25th June 2018. The readings are from 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18; and the Gospel from Matthew 7:1-5. What makes us to repeat the same mistakes, sins and the actions we regret over and over? It is mostly due to lack of faith in God, provoking God and neighbours with our pride and immorality, the constant unfaithfulness to God’s law and commandments and leaving the belief in God and the principles for which we became a believer. In the first reading we read an account of God’s people going into slavery and oppression under the merciless rulers of Assyrians due to their apostacy and immorality. The responsorial Psalm intercedes, “Hear us, O Lord, and help us.” (Ps.59:7). The Gospel teaches us to be careful in judging others when deep within ourselves the sea of sins eroding the banks of the inner sanctuaries of God. There is no way someone is living a life without judging oneself, or the others. Some of us employ the judgement so prudently and frugally. Some others spill it over and make it nasty and nagging endlessly. What do we judge mostly in our lives? The recent studies prove people judge the others mostly on sociability, competence and morality. How good we relate and handle the other person, how skilful and confident in demonstrating dealing with the difficult situations and stressful issues of life and how honest, trustworthy, transparent and sincere in relating with the other person. All our judgements are coloured and biased by the things that is going on in each person right within. We mostly make a lot of sweeping statements when we are living an immoral, sinful and selfish life. Jesus invites us to be extremely careful in taking a serious measure in our personal vision before we wish to engage in helping the others to see clearly. When we ourselves have the problems of vision, perception, and approach, we must not judge others. Let us first put our house in order before we would like to criticize the way others conduct themselves in their own homes. We need a certain credibility and moral character to judge others. St. Augustine says clearly: “The Lord prevents us from judging quickly and unfairly; We should first ponder whether we have not made a similar sin; let us remember we are fragile and let us always [judge] with the intention of serving God and not ourselves. Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” (Mt.7:5). May we be prudent in judging others when we take our prolonged silence and procrastinating in acting on the urgent inner issues in our lives. May you have a good day. God bless you.